under a false assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under a false assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a situation where someone is operating based on incorrect beliefs or information. Example: "She made her decision under a false assumption that the project was already approved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Even if the customer is operating under a false assumption or incomplete information, own the customer's perceptions and acknowledge that you understand what the client is conveying.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Under the new legislation, I wouldn't even have been able to support myself through A-levels – it relies on a false assumption that all under-25s can live at home, without providing a safety net to help those for whom this is simply impossible.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is a false assumption.

The Guardian - Opinion

"However, this seems to repeatedly be a false assumption".

The New York Times

"That was a false assumption and I will even say I was part of that assumption," Mr. Gensler said.

The New York Times

But most of us already have a plan (though that may be a false assumption, too).

The New York Times

"We were living with a false assumption," said Dolores Swirin, the chief executive of the Girl Scout Council of Greater New York.

The New York Times

There is a false assumption, she added, that "if something bad happens, people are damaged unless they talk about it".

The New York Times - Arts

The widespread perception that government is going to do it all is based on a false assumption.

The New York Times

"It's a false assumption".

Forbes

A false assumption about negation makes it seem impossible to think or talk about not-being.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under a false assumption", ensure you clearly articulate what the correct or actual information is to provide context and clarity for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "under a false assumption" to justify unrelated outcomes. Ensure the flawed assumption directly influenced the subsequent events you're describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under a false assumption" functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause by indicating the condition or basis upon which an action is performed or a belief is held. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "under a false assumption" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase to indicate that an action or belief is based on incorrect information. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears most often in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts, indicating a neutral register suitable for various audiences. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the correct information to prevent confusion. Alternatives include "based on a faulty premise" or "operating on an incorrect assumption". Being aware of common errors, such as confusing correlation with causation, will enhance the precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

based on a faulty premise

Replaces "assumption" with "premise" and uses "faulty" instead of "false", slightly altering the emphasis.

under a mistaken belief

Substitutes "assumption" with "belief" and "false" with "mistaken", conveying a similar sense of incorrect understanding.

operating on an incorrect assumption

Rephrases the sentence structure while retaining the core meaning using "incorrect" instead of "false".

laboring under a delusion

Uses "delusion" to suggest a stronger, potentially irrational false belief.

proceeding from an unfounded assumption

Emphasizes the lack of basis for the assumption, using "unfounded" instead of "false".

misled by a false impression

Focuses on the deception aspect, suggesting that someone was wrongly guided by a false image.

presuming something incorrectly

Highlights the act of presuming, which turned out to be inaccurate.

acting on misinformation

Shifts the focus to the misinformation itself being the driver of the action.

with the wrong idea

Simplifies the phrase to its basic elements, focusing on the possession of an inaccurate idea.

taken by a deceitful notion

Focuses on the deception aspect of the idea guiding the person.

FAQs

How can I use "under a false assumption" in a sentence?

You can use "under a false assumption" to describe a situation where someone acts or believes something based on incorrect information. For instance, "The company proceeded "under a false assumption" that the market would continue to grow."

What's a good alternative to "under a false assumption"?

Alternatives include phrases like "based on a faulty premise", "under a mistaken belief", or "operating on an incorrect assumption" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "false assumption" or "incorrect assumption"?

Both "false assumption" and "incorrect assumption" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice often depends on stylistic preference, although "false assumption" might subtly imply intentional deception, while "incorrect assumption" suggests a genuine mistake.

What is the difference between "under a false assumption" and "under a false premise"?

While both phrases suggest an incorrect basis for a belief or action, "assumption" refers to something taken for granted without proof, while "premise" refers to a proposition that supports a conclusion. Using "under a false premise" implies a more reasoned, albeit flawed, line of thought.